Collection Information
Size: 2.5 Linear feet
Summary: The papers of Giovanni Martino and Martino family measure 2.5 linear feet and date from 1913 to 2022. Giovanni Martino's career as a painter, and to a lesser extent, his work with his brothers at Martino Studios, is documented though biographical material, correspondence, printed material, photographs, artwork, and one scrapbook. Also found are papers documenting the painting careers of his wife, Eva, and daughters, Nina and Babette.
Biographical/Historical Note
Giovanni Martino (1908-1998) was a painter in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Martino and his six brothers formed Martino Studios in Philadelphia, where Giovanni worked as a graphic artist. Martino's wife, Eva (1916-2012), and daughters Babette (1945-2011) and Nina F. (1942- ) are also artists. Martino studied at the Philadelphia Graphic Sketch Club, Le France Art Institute, Spring Garden Institute, and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He specialized in urban landscape painting and regularly exhibited his work in solo and group exhibitions. In the 1960s, the family moved from Philadelphia to a house in Blue Bell, where each member could have their own painting studio.
Provenance
The collection was donated in 2005 by Eva, Nina and Babette Martino, Giovanni Martino's wife and daughters and in 2014 and 2022 by Nina F. Martino.
Language Note
Collection is primarily in English. Some of the Nina Martino papers are in Spanish.